As one of the most American of all foods, barbecue/BBQ and barbecue restaurants are more popular than ever. I have made it a point to try the different styles found in different regions and cities as well as to try the best and most recommended spots, as I travel throughout the US. Based on my research and expanding waistline, my favorite finds include:
Austin, TX
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue: Having seen the restaurant featured on the Travel Channel, I had to have my last lunch there at 401 W. 2nd Street. It was very crowded with a lively crowd and had a great interior. I enjoyed sampling three barbecued meats: pulled pork, chicken and brisket. The brisket was my favorite with an espresso and brown sugar rub. I also enjoyed my two sides of collard greens and a tasty carrot/jicama slaw. I would definitely go back and encourage you to try it. They feature music upstairs several nights a week.
Driftwood, TX
Salt Lick Barbecue: The brisket plate was outstanding with brisket, potato salad, slaw and baked beans. I couldn’t make up my mind about which cobbler to choose, so I did the half blackberry, half peach combo. A really great experience. It is a large complex with both indoor and outdoor seating, plus there is a wine tasting room. Don’t miss checking out the kitchen with its large barbecue pit. There is often live music.
Detroit, MI
Slows BBQ: At 2138 Michigan Ave., this was the perfect spot for lunch. It comes highly recommended for its great barbecue, huge sandwiches and tasty side dishes. I loved the Longhorn sandwich with barbecue brisket, smoked gouda and an onion marmalade. I ordered it without sauce so I could try some of their five different barbecue sauces. I love the sweet one. The pecan pie with vanilla bean ice cream was worth the trip!!! They have locations in Pontiac and Grand Rapids if you are in those cities.’
Chicago, IL
A fun new find in Chicago is Smoque BBQ at 3800 N. Pulaski. It is right off of the Kennedy Expressway at Irving Park and is therefore easy to reach for city dwellers and suburbanites as well. It is a casual, locals spot where you order at the counter and then grab a seat. Just be prepared for some lines. They feature pulled pork which they smoke for over 12 hours, brisket with a 2-layer spice rub and a vinegar-based brisket BBQ sauce, chicken that has been smoked for over three hours and Texas sausage made in Taylor Texas for the restaurant. They offer sandwiches and platters along with a number of salads and sides. I really enjoyed the sliced brisket platter with slaw, BBQ beans and cornbread. I will definitely go back!! They also have a location in the Chicago Loop in the Revival Food Hall at 125 S. Clark. It is listed in the Chicago Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand.
Kansas City MO/KS
Changing its name to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is the former Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Que. This popular barbecue restaurant is located in a working Shamrock gas station at 3002 West 47th, at the corner of Mission Road, and is one of the most famous of the Kansas City barbecue restaurants. Make sure to go early as the line starts forming well before they open at 11am. There are two other locations in town, but I would recommend the original for the atmosphere. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and dinners. I loved the BBQ Beef Brisket and the baked beans, while my friend enjoyed the combination brisket and pulled pork sandwich with the red beans and rice. Make sure to add this to your list of to-dos in KC. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Putting it in the company with the French Laundry and El Bulli, Anthony Bourdain named Joe’s one of the 13 places to eat before you die”.
Arthur Bryant’s is a must for its famous KC barbeque. The original location is at 1727 Brooklyn and is the best for atmosphere.
Danny Edward’s Boulevard BBQ This is a great new find on my most recent trip to KC. At 2900 SW Boulevard, they feature a number of BBQ sandwiches, plates and sides. The atmosphere is casual and fun. I thought the pulled pork sandwich was really great!! They have been featured in Saveur and Bon Appetit Magazines.
Jack Stack Barbecue: Not to be missed it the original Martin City location at 135 & Holmes. It has a casual, rustic atmosphere with great food. I enjoyed the combination hickory smoked brisket and pulled pork with great baked beans and their cheesy corn bake with corn, smoked ham and cheese. They feature a number of sandwiches, soups, salads, ribs, seven types of smoked meat plus barbecue chicken.
Woodyard Bar-B-Que: At 3001 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, KS, near the intersection of I-35 and I-635, Woodyard is a rustic BBQ spot that should be high on your list to try. They feature a number of sandwiches, sides, hot wings, ribs and plates with an emphasis on pulled pork, brisket, turkey, sausage, ham and burnt ends. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. It has been featured in a number of articles and on some of the best food and travel TV networks.
LC’s Bar-B-Q: 5800 Blue Parkway east of the Country Club Plaza, this is a popular spot that has been featured in a number of articles on the best BBQ in KC. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere and the food. Their meats include beef, ribs, ham, turkey and pork along with sausage, chicken, shrimp, burnt ends and chicken wings. The menu includes sandwiches, sides and combination platters.
Marble, CO
Not to be missed is the Slow Groovin’ BBQ restaurant that opened in Marble in 2011 by experienced restaurateurs, Ryan Vinciguerra and his partner Karly Anderson from Aspen, who left the high-end Aspen restaurant scene for a quieter pace. They have an extensive menu offering a number of meats like brisket, ribs and pulled pork and fish served with their homemade hot sauce and two BBQ sauces, a fruit based sauce and a North Carolina style sauce. I loved the slow-cooked brisket with cornbread, slaw and baked beans. The sauces were excellent. It has indoor and outdoor seating, great servers and great views of Marble. I love finding small gems like this, so it is well-worth the drive to enjoy the ambiance and food. They are open from May to October. 101 W. 1st.
Aspen, CO
A favorite of locals for many years is the Hickory House at 730 W. Main. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they are known for their burgers, ribs and BBQ. With en extensive breakfast menu, I went back after many years for brunch and enjoyed the experience. It is a fun, casual spot that you will enjoy when in town.
Another great addition to the dining scene in Aspen is the opening of Home Team BBQ. This is a local outpost of the Charleston, SC based BBQ chain. It is found in Inn at Aspen at the base of Buttermilk, which is located at 38750 CO Hwy. 82. It is a great spot if you don’t want to deal with parking or crowds in town. They feature a number of sandwiches, tacos and combination platters. I had a really good smoked brisket meatloaf entree.
Durham, NC
Bullock’s Bar-B-Cue is the perfect spot for great barbecue and Southern specialties at 3330 Quebec Drive. The decor, servers and customers make for a special experience!
Jerome, AZ
Bobby D’s BBQ: As I always on the search for my next barbecue spot, I enjoyed a fun lunch at Bobby D’s BBQ in downtown Jerome. The atmosphere is warm and colorful and I enjoyed the BBQ brisket platter along with cornbread and baked beans. They have indoor seating as well as an outdoor deck with additional seating. 119 Jerome Ave.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Nearby Poached Pear is Jersey Shore BBQ at 710 Arnold Ave. I normally don’t think of NJ when I think of barbecue, but I was tempted when I saw this casual spot in Belmar. Since I first went, Jersey Shore BBQ moved to Point Pleasant in late 2021. Their Texas-style barbecue is pit-cooked on local hardwoods. They have an extensive menu of ribs, platters or sandwiches with pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket and grilled shrimp. There are some great sides, starters, and salads. They do offer quesadillas, nachos plus some seafood po-boys. There are several BBQ sauces to choose from. I liked the Point Pleasant location better and enjoyed a great pulled pork sandwich with Texas bbq sauce and cole slaw.
